Lornalitz Baez wasn’t always plus size. For years, the Puerto Rican model struggled to keep her curves at bay in order to make it in the industry. Meeting Jennifer Lopez and modeling for her J.Lo clothing line gave her the confidence she needed to stay in the game. Now the star of nuvoTV’s Curvy Girls, a reality show based on five professional plus-size models, Baez tells us how she learned to embrace her curves.

How has Curvy Girls impacted your life?

It’s opened so many doors for me in terms of the plus-size modeling world. I'm working so much right now. I'm the face of Kmart. I’m working with Torrid, Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart, and The Swiss Colony. It's been a complete blessing for me. I'm so happy to be on the very first plus-size reality show to receive a second season.

Do you think the industry is starting to embrace full-figured women more?

I think we're definitely making a name for ourselves. People are starting to realize that the majority of American women are full-figured and that we should start marketing to every type of woman. We’re trying to bring size diversity to television. Before you know it, we'll be on the runways in Milan.